UK Football: Phillips adjusts Wildcats' depth chart, restricts players' Twitter time

By LARRY VAUGHT
larry@amnews.com
LEXINGTON — Changes on and off the field are coming at Kentucky following its 32-14 loss at Louisville on Sunday.
First, coach Joker Phillips has instituted his own 20-hour rule when it comes to Twitter.
“We’re going to have a 24-hour rule before and a 24-hour rule after (games),” Phillips said Wednesday after practice. “It’s kids being kids, trying to be funny.  So we’ll have a 24-hour rule on both ends of the game.”
After Sunday’s game, freshman punter Landon Foster said he knew he made a mistake trying to be funny when he tweeted that he “found Florida’s trash dump” after arriving in Louisville. Freshman running back Dyshawn Mobley expressed his dissatisfaction with his lack of playing time in the game in a postgame tweet.
Next, Phillips is changing the depth chart. He has promoted senior Aaron Boyd and freshman Daryl Collins to No. 1 at wide receiver and moved Malcolm McDuffen ahead of Tyler Brause at linebacker after criticizing the Wildcats’ linebacker play at Louisville.
“There is always adjustment to the depth chart. There is competition every week. People don’t understand, if a kid’s at practice, he’s competing,” Phillips said. “Some of these guys that have been practicing deserve a chance to play because of what we saw (against Louisville). They’re going to play.
“You see the draft, when (NFL) teams draft kids. They draft them to come play for them. It’s the same with recruiting. The thing we always get into: He’s young, he’s inexperienced — but he’s talented. Then put him out there and let him play.”
He indicated that freshman linebackers Khalid Henderson and Pancho Thomas would also play.
“A couple of the secondary guys will line up and play,” Phillips said.
Freshmen cornerbacks Fred Tiller and J.D. Harmon played last week, and freshman safety Daron Blaylock could get his first action Saturday against Kent State.
“What’s the difference? You give up 460-something yards (to Louisville) and you are a junior, why not put a freshman in there and see if we can give up 400 (with a guy) that’s more talented than those guys? They deserve to play. They’ll get an opportunity, but we’ve got to simplify it for them,” Phillips said.
“Lining up was an issue (at Louisville). Competing was an issue. You don’t give up 460 yards and all those things not be issues. They don’t run for 200-plus, throw for 200-plus without all those things being an issue.”
Injury update: Phillips said safety Glenn Faulkner, out with an ankle injury, is still “probably” five to six weeks at least from being ready to play. Running back Josh Clemons (knee) remains week to week and won’t play Saturday.
Starting tailback CoShik Williams and backup linebacker Josh Forrest have also missed the last two practices with minor injuries.
Phillips on Boyd: Phillips said senior wide receiver Aaron Boyd earned a spot in the starting lineup Saturday based on his play against Louisville.
“So proud of Aaron. I am. Aaron stayed the course. He’s grown up a lot. Many of you guys have watched him grow. He’s a lot more mature. He handles his business the right way. I’m so proud of him that he got an opportunity not only to play, but to make some plays for us. He will be a starter, no doubt. Now, other guys will play, but Aaron deserves to be the starter. Again, because of all the little things," Phillips said.
“He does a better job of blocking, and that’s being unselfish. Therefore, if you’re doing all the little things that we ask of you — he’s done everything we’ve ever asked of him. Now he’s shut his mouth and started to play. Therefore, he deserves to be a starter this week.
“They don’t always grow up as fast as you’d like them to. I heard last night on the (radio) show, Tom (Leach) was reading that Aaron said something nobody knows about him, said he was shy. No. I’ve never heard that. I would’ve never expected that. He’s not shy. He’s a people person, and I get that. He loves people and he loves his teammates here. That’s why I’m so happy for him that he’s got an opportunity to make some plays."